萝莉社

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Q&A with Athletic Training Program Director Andrew Lundgren

Program Director Andrew Lundgren talks about the career opportunities and advantages of North Park’s athletic training program.

Andrew Lundgren: Athletic Training Program Director and Associate Professor

What kinds of career opportunities can the athletic training program offer?

Athletic trainers are health care professionals who are experts in the prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment, and聽rehabilitation聽of injuries and other medical conditions. Our graduates find聽employment聽in a variety of settings including聽secondary schools, colleges, professional sports, industrial settings, and physician/sports medicine clinics.

A degree in athletic training can also help prepare students for other health care programs like physical therapy, occupational therapy, or physician assistant studies. Other graduates pursue health-care related professions such as orthopedic technology or medical sales.

What type of student is a good candidate for the program?

Students with strong interpersonal skills who are interested in science, medicine, and working with active populations typically thrive in athletic training. Since each day in the field is different, it is important that athletic trainers are flexible and can adapt.

How does North Park鈥檚 athletic training program stand out?

As the only CAATE-accredited athletic training program in Chicago鈥檚 city limits, our students have access to a host of learning opportunities and are afforded a diverse array of locations for clinical education. Through these clinical placements, students gain hands-on experiences while learning from professionals in the field. Students gain additional experience as members of the medical team at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon/Shamrock Shuffle. Finally, our growing network of alumni remains actively involved in the program. Many alumni help to educate the next generation of students by serving as guest speakers, preceptors, and mentors. Supported by these unique opportunities and our network of alumni and friends, North Park鈥檚 athletic training programs are well-established within and outside Chicagoland.

Learn More

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A Catalyst Excursion: Engaging History and Intercultural Context Through Pilsen’s Murals

Every Wednesday, various Catalyst classes take excursions into the city, exploring topics of study through the lens of first-hand experience. On a recent excursion to the Pilsen neighborhood, Professor Lee Strickland鈥檚 Street Art class was treated to an in-depth tour of the area鈥檚 vibrant murals.

Every Wednesday, various Catalyst classes take excursions into the city, exploring topics of study through the lens of first-hand experience. On a recent excursion to the Pilsen neighborhood, Professor Lee Strickland鈥檚 Street Art class (a Keystone-3000 course) was treated to an in-depth tour of the area鈥檚 vibrant murals. Their knowledgeable tour guide, Luis Tubens from the National Museum of Mexican Art, was a powerhouse of insight, offering cultural and historical context to the artwork as well as relating the content to the day-to-day life of the community.

Tubens explained that while Pilsen was once largely populated by Polish and Czech immigrants, the 1960s brought major developments in infrastructure to neighboring areas which in turn displaced a large Latino population to Pilsen. For many, this forced migration echoed a longer journey. Gulliver en el pais de las Maravillas / Gulliver in Wonderland, a mural which stretches around the artist Hector Duarte鈥檚 home and studio, speaks poignantly to the immigrant鈥檚 journey and to the struggle of integrating into a new culture.

In addition to local history, Tubens discussed the history of murals and the role they have played in shaping communities and empowering their people. At the Orozco Community Academy, a venetian glass mosaic by Francisco Mendoza offered Tubens the perfect opportunity to discuss the Mexican mural movement led by Diego Rivera, Jose Clemente, and David Alfaro Siqueiros. A few blocks away the work of contemporary artist, Sentrock, provided a bold example of pop art giving voice to a new generation. Some murals spoke to social challenges such as gun violence or conflicting cultural identities, while others represented the community efforts to address these challenges.

Professor Strickland says her class is not made up of art majors but, rather, many of them are studying political science or criminal justice. Her Street Art class is an opportunity for students to address what they are learning in their major studies through a completely different lens.

Learn More about Catalyst

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Summer Internships: How North Parkers Spent Their Summer

Two North Parkers share how they found their summer internships and what they gained.

Every year, North Park students seek internships and jobs within the city of Chicago. We followed up with two North Park students who found their internships through North Park’s Career Development and Internships Office (CDIO). The CDIO assists current students and graduates in finding jobs and internships related to their fields.

Learn more about the CDIO

Amy Ryzewicz, C’19

“When I applied for my summer internship, I asked the CDIO for help. They sent me additional internships to apply for outside of the Career Hub, North Park’s job board. The聽CDIO聽was invited to some of my聽classes and talked about writing聽cover-letters and聽making CVs, which may be important for creative careers. They also helped me during the process for obtaining credit over the summer as well.

I found a paid position as a graphic design intern.聽I designed and updated print ads for directories of聽US聽manufacturers.聽The directories are sold by state and there is聽an online subscription that may be purchased by businesses. There is also a directory for all of the wholesalers and distributors in the entire country, along with an聽Illinois services聽directory.

The people I worked with are very friendly, and we have similar interests.聽The work culture is honest.聽I have聽learned about聽what happens before and after an ad is made, which is something that I did not know much about before. The company was flexible and is very organized.

I suggest students start looking and applying for summer internships during their sophomore year, instead of junior year. Shadowing people before and during the process of job searching, or even meeting with them for coffee can be helpful in finding the right position. For creative people, I聽recommend聽checking out art galleries for internships too. Non-profits are generally more flexible with internships, even though they do not pay.聽There is a wide range of potential for graphic design work.

Because of my summer internship that I found with the help of CDIO, I feel more likely to go into this professional field after I graduate. I also found that my worries about this field were unfounded.”

Grace So, C’18

“From the beginning of my freshman year, the CDIO provided resources to get me the opportunities I received this summer. I have been polishing my resume since the first semester of freshman year and have met with a variety of staff at different times during the four years I was at North Park in regards to career direction, branding myself, developing a LinkedIn profile, and actually looking for a specific internship/job opportunity.

In regards to the specific internship (or apprenticeship) that I got this summer, Renee Tucker-Martinez聽sent me several links to job descriptions of various kinds, and this one鈥攑roduction apprentice for Jellyvision Lab鈥攃aught my eye. At a CDIO networking dinner, I had the opportunity to meet a North Park alum who works there. I asked her several questions about the company and the position and decided to apply for the apprenticeship.

The company produces software that makes boring things fun. For example the product that I worked with the most is a software which companies use to help employees understand benefits and decide on the plan which works best for the employees. My specific role as a production apprentice was making sure the product which gets customized for various companies actually works as intended.聽I proof-read texts, edited scripts which go into the聽software, attended professional development聽trainings, and oversaw general product management.

At Jellyvision, I聽had the opportunity to receive an extensive training (5 weeks) covering everything from benefits to how a tech company operates and what tools it uses to manage the production process. I love that the company invested in me so that I am聽equipped to do my job well and understand the inner workings of the聽company. Everyone I worked with seems so talented, hard-working, and kind, that聽I often聽wondered how the company maintains such a close-knit, start-up聽culture.

I definitely used everything I had learned from my classes at North Park. As someone who studied聽Communication Studies,聽I was able to observe and apply my knowledge of how group communication works, what kind of relationship dynamics appear in a work setting, and how to avoid misunderstandings by being clearer in my communication. I also wrote and edited texts daily, so all the writing I did in college was worth it!

I couldn’t ask for a better work experience fresh out of college. Looking back on the job application processes, I now realize that employers聽look less at my major or the field of work I am interested in, and more at my skill-sets and experiences.”

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Threshold Student Leaders

Threshold New Student Orientation begins Friday, August 24th. Get to know some of this semester’s student leaders and why they are excited about Threshold.

Threshold New Student Orientation聽(Friday, Aug 24鈥揝unday, Aug 26) is a long-standing 萝莉社 tradition with the purpose of welcoming students, families, and guests to our campus and community. We believe orientation plays an important role in marking the beginning of your academic journey at North Park.聽Leaders of Threshold groups are current students excited to show new students around campus and the city during orientation. Get to know some of this semester’s student leaders by reading their bio’s below.

I鈥檓 Honduran by birth and parents. I鈥檓 the SGA treasurer, an orientation leader, and I鈥檓 also a member of the Worship Team (play the guitar). Incoming students will get to enjoy the creation of new friendships with people from all over the world and the United States. North Park might be small, but the University encourages its students to go and explore the city itself, not just the campus.

–聽Juan Carlos Navarro,聽Business and Economics: Finance & Marketing, Sophomore (C’21)

I came to North Park because it was close to my home, and I received helpful financial aid. I am very active on campus鈥攜ou can find me working as the president of the Criminal Justice Club, a writing advisor, a desk manager for Burgh聽Hall, a student聽ambassador, and a COMPASS mentor. My favorite place to go is Einsteins, but I spend most of my time in the library. I look forward to new students getting to experience our sports games, especially the Football Homecoming Game.

鈥擜lin Hernandez, Double Major in Criminal Justice and Psychology, Senior (C’19)

I am from Rwanda, and I came to 萝莉社 as a transfer from the University of Botswana. At first, I was here simply to complete my degree, but after spending time at North Park I found a family away from my family, a home away from home. If you are a person who likes to be involved with people around you, this is a great place to be, and even if you are not, don鈥檛 worry North Park has a lot in store for you. I hope that as you come to North Park you will allow yourself to have an open mind and experience the beauty of our school and the people who make it.

– Lys Kelsie Isimbi, Business Economics with a Concentration in Management, Senior (C’19)

North Park is a city-centered, Christian university, and with its ethnic diversity, I immediately fell in love. North Park is known for its faithful and humble environment.聽My favorite part of the campus is absolutely everything. Its welcoming environment feels like home. And being city-centered makes exploring more accessible and fun!聽I鈥檓 excited for incoming students to experience this memorable place and people.聽I am Cleo Dangcalan, one of your Orientation Leaders, and I am always ready to help. Go Vikings!

–聽 Cleo Dangcalan, Double Majoring in Psychology and Communication Studies

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Jamey Lundblad C鈥�95: Chief Marketing Officer, City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

鈥淐hicago is an arts powerhouse and global cultural destination . . . I鈥檓 passionate about making the arts and local culture available to Chicagoans and visitors.鈥�

After graduation, Lundblad got his career off the ground as an editor and event planner for North Park. Then he moved on to roles at marketing agency VSA Partners and as director of marketing for the Chicago Public Library. Now, as chief marketing officer for the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, his job is to promote the city鈥檚 many cultural offerings. It鈥檚 one he relishes. 鈥淲hat really shaped me were my experiences outside the classroom and around the world.鈥�

鈥淐hicago is an arts powerhouse and global cultural destination . . . I鈥檓 passionate about making the arts and local culture available to Chicagoans and visitors.鈥�

鈥擩amey Lundblad C’95: Chief Marketing Officer, City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

Jamey Lundblad C鈥�95 loves Chicago. As chief marketing officer for the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, his job is to promote the city鈥檚 many cultural offerings. It鈥檚 one he relishes.

“Chicago is an arts powerhouse and a global cultural destination鈥攖he birthplace of the skyscraper and modern architecture, storefront theatre, improv, the urban blues, and more,鈥� Lundblad says. 鈥淚’m passionate about making the arts and local culture available to Chicagoans and visitors, and I love going to see exhibits, theatre,聽and dance myself鈥攅very chance I get. So, I’m grateful that my job allows me to advocate for the arts and Chicago every day.”

The communication arts and Swedish double major says North Park prepared him well for his high-profile position with the city, where he鈥檚 responsible for marketing Chicago鈥檚 many festivals and promoting Millennium Park, the number-one tourist attraction in the Midwest.

鈥淢y classes at North Park were terrific and provided a solid foundation for my career,鈥� says the Minnesota native. 鈥淏ut what really shaped me were my experiences outside the classroom and around the world,鈥� including his semester in Sweden and his role as Student Government president his senior year.

鈥淢y study abroad in Sweden gave me confidence and a more expansive worldview,鈥� says Lundblad, who was mentored by many beloved North Park professors and staff, including David and Sue Horner, Melissa Morris-Olson, and Charles Peterson, among others.

After graduation, Lundblad got his career off the ground as an editor and event planner for North Park. Then he moved on to roles at marketing agency VSA Partners and as director of marketing for the Chicago Public Library.

Now a frequent world traveler, Lundblad also serves on the board of directors of Edgar Miller Legacy, a group whose mission is to preserve the architect鈥檚 鈥渉andmade homes鈥� throughout the country, but especially in the Chicagoland area.

In fact, Lundblad and his husband, Bill Melamed, held their recent wedding in the R.W. Glasner Studio, a building designed by Miller, who was known as a master painter, wood carver,聽and stained-glass maker. Lundblad and Melamed are committed to supporting the arts, as well as a variety of LGBTQ causes.

Lundblad hails from a long line of North Park alumni: his aunt, uncle, brother, and sister-in-law all attended North Park.

鈥淚鈥檓 proud to call myself a North Park Legacy,鈥� Lundblad says.

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From Student Worker to Marketing Professional: Leah Emerson C’18

Leah Emerson C’18, advertising and psychology alumna, shares about applying her undergraduate experiences in a professional setting.

Leah Emerson, C'18, double majored in advertising and psychology and was president of the psychology club her senior year.

Hi, I’m Leah,聽and I鈥檓 a recent graduate of 萝莉社 and currently employed as marketing coordinator at the British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park. I work with the marketing side of our office, where I create promotional materials, take pictures, send emails and mailings, maintain the website, and network with parents and donors.

This opportunity excites me because the international school setting makes a difference in the development of children and their outlooks on life. It exposes them to other cultures early on and allows them to learn alongside聽other kids who may have a totally different background than they do.

My job is a combination of my professional experiences at North Park, where I was a student worker in University Marketing and Communications as well as the Office of Advancement. In the marketing office, I learned how to maintain websites and had an opportunity to hone my photography skills. I have my own style of photography, but when I started taking pictures for North Park, I had to learn how to transition to a new style to fit within their brand guidelines. I also learned more InDesign and other design skills from the lead designer.

The Office of Advancement gave me an opportunity to develop professional skills, such as welcoming people, providing customer service, and building relationships with people who are part of the institution, all of which are huge parts of my job now.

At North Park, I also I took a business communication class with the director of Career Development and Internships Office (CDIO). The class prepared us for job searching and interacting in a professional workplace. We worked in groups and practiced writing in various formats, including press releases, PSA’s, and more. We聽talked about interviews, how to dress for them and how to answer questions; received other tips for success; and then set up mock interviews with staff and faculty members to gain extra practice. I’ve never considered interviews to be one of my strengths, so the extra bit of practice really helped.

I see this position as a starting point for my career. I鈥檓 in a position where I am completing tasks that I know I can do. I鈥檓 using the skills that I have already learned, but there is still information that I know I have yet to learn. It鈥檚 nice to transition out of the student worker mentality into a leadership position where I get to take charge.

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Athletic Training at North Park: Patrick Pauley C’16

Patrick Pauley C’16 shares how the athletic training program at North Park gave him the practical experience he needed to succeed.

Patrick Pauley, C’16

Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training

When Patrick Pauley first began his search for an athletic training program, he was a non-traditional student and needed to attend a program in the Chicago area. After calling several universities in the area, Pauley was put in touch with Andrew Lundgren, the athletic training program director at North Park. “Andrew went above and beyond to make sure I had all my questions answered. He invited me to campus for a tour and introduced me to as many people as possible. I knew I was making the right choice based on the way Andrew treated a prospective student and the pride he had in the athletic training program at 萝莉社.”

After receiving his BS in athletic training at North Park, Pauley went on to spend two years as a graduate assistant athletic trainer at DePaul University where he has recently completed his master of science in sports, fitness, and recreation leadership. Pauley now serves as the head athletic trainer with the Chicago Dogs professional baseball team and specializes in working with overhead athletes.

Pauley recalls building his Chicago network while an undergraduate at North Park. “The athletic training program at 萝莉社 offered clinical rotations in the Chicago area and real-world experience at the Chicago Marathon that allowed me to expand my network of sports medicine professionals.”

Pauley says he has been able to apply the practical skills he learned at North Park to his professional roles. “Critical thinking was constantly stressed throughout the program which is required every day as an athletic trainer. The faculty and staff in the athletic training program were very supportive of our academic success and our future after graduation.鈥�

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Athletic Training at North Park: Ashley Campos C’18

Ashley Campos C’18 shares how the athletic training program at North Park prepared her for the next steps of her career.

Ashley Campos,聽C’18

Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training

鈥淚 believe that 萝莉社鈥檚 athletic training program is the reason I was accepted into Occupational Therapy School,鈥� says Ashley Campos, who will聽begin her doctor of occupational therapy at Samuel Merritt University in California, fall of 2018. 鈥淭he faculty deeply cared for me and my career. They made sure I not only聽understood the material, but was able to use what I learned in the lab and at my clinical rotation.鈥�

As she awaits the continuation of her education in the fall, Campos is nannying a 20-month-old. Campos says she is already applying the knowledge聽she gained through her clinical rotation at Lurie鈥檚 Children Hospital which prepared聽her to take care of young children and track their motor skills development.

鈥淣orth Park鈥檚 athletic training program offers students a wide variety of clinical rotations that meet everyone鈥檚 interest. Students have the opportunity to learn at a D1 university, children鈥檚聽hospital, high schools, and more.鈥� Campos also emphasized the role of her professors in her education. 鈥淚 appreciate the family-like structure of the program. The professors and preceptors emphasized us all being a family, and they guided us to be the health care professionals that we are聽today.鈥�

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Athletic Training at North Park: Brody Burkart C’16

Brody Burkart C’16 shares how the athletic training program at North Park supported him through his academic, professional, and personal growth.

Brody H. Burkart, C’16

Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training

Brody Burkart鈥檚 dream of becoming an athletic trainer and physical therapist began when he was 16 years old. He chose to pursue his BS in athletic training at North Park聽because聽it allowed him to follow that dream while continuing his athletic career. “Not many programs I spoke with encouraged my ability to be a collegiate athlete and athletic training student the way 萝莉社 did,” says Burkart. As Burkart’s faculty knew of his professional aspirations, they helped ensure that he obtained the appropriate pre-requisite courses within his busy schedule. In the Spring of 2016, Burkart received his bachelor of science in athletic聽training, graduating with cum laude honors.

Following graduation, Burkart was accepted into Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science鈥檚 doctor of physical therapy program. Burkart credits this success to the preparation he received聽as an undergraduate.聽鈥淩eceiving my undergraduate degree from 萝莉社 was one of the best decisions I have ever made. As a student, I obtained over 1,250 hours of clinical experience working with diverse populations, established networking opportunities, and built lasting relationships with the faculty members at North Park that helped solidify my spot amongst a vastly competitive pool of physical therapy applicants.”

In addition to the skills that allowed him to grow as a clinician, Burkart appreciates the ways that he grew as a person during his time at North Park.聽鈥淔rom the immense amount of hands-on exposure you receive with your athletes and patients, to the incredible opportunities you have to develop, implement, and lead the medical emergency action plan of the Chicago Marathon, these experiences聽allow聽you to gain the greatest sense of self-confidence. I am truly blessed to have been a part of this program, for it has made such a positive impact on my life.鈥�

Burkart explains that while in school, he experienced many life-altering events and setbacks outside of the classroom. “I am forever grateful to my fellow classmates and the athletic training faculty for the way they supported me through those tough times. After the immeasurable amount of time you spend within this program, these people become your family and individuals you can rely on for the rest of your life.”

“On behalf of myself and fellow athletic training classmates and peers, I can say with complete confidence that regardless of your academic pursuits beyond North Park, the advanced knowledge you receive from this program will set you up for the utmost success.”

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Stories of CHIC: Joshua Crozier

North Park student Joshua Crozier shares his first-hand experience at CHIC, the national gathering of Covenant high school students.

Joshua Crozier,聽Current North Park Student

My favorite part about CHIC was realizing just how big the Body of Christ is. Over 6,000 other teenagers and leaders from around the nation gathered together to worship God, grow in their faith, and make lifelong memories. If you鈥檝e never been to CHIC, I suggest diving deep into the base camps, go hard on the fields, worship in ways you never have before, and soak up the messages of the speakers.

This week three years ago was incredibly formational to me; I still remember messages that were shared, the bands that played, and the friends I made at CHIC 2015. I also remember the screaming North Park student volunteers handing out t-shirts and telling us about the University. Because I grew up in the Covenant Church, CHIC was not the first time I had heard of North Park, but I remember learning more about the University from the excited volunteer students.

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